Social Care in Action awards for hard working carers

Care workers and volunteers have been honoured by a social enterprise.

Social Care in Action (SCA) handed out 18 prizes at its third annual Group Staff and Volunteer Awards.

Hosted at Sir Richard Taunton’s College in Southampton, the care organisation whittled down 291 nominations to identify its top achievers and hardest workers.

SCA runs a variety of services, including care, transport and a community centre, and operates across Hampshire and into Bournemouth.

Competition was so fierce for the Employee of the Year Award that it was shared between Sally Jones and Lorraine Sait.

Gill Clarke, a volunteer at the SCA Fenwick2 Dementia Day Care Centre in the New Forest, was one of three recipients of the Volunteer of the Year Award.

She was joined by Tracy Smith, of SCA’s Brook Day Centre in Southampton, who judges found was “really valued by staff and customers alike”, and Matthew Clougher, a student on an advocacy support work placement.

Speaking at the event, chief executive Maria Mills said: “At SCA we are truly proud of our wonderful staff teams who so often go above and beyond their job roles to ensure our customers’ needs are met and more.

“The judging panel were touched by the sincerity of the nominations received, particularly those from customers where SCA’s impact can clearly be seen.

“The awards evening is a popular event that enables staff across all divisions to reflect on the hard work of their colleagues and the difference that we are all making to people’s lives every day.”

The event was hosted by BBC Radio 2 DJ Jules Lang, while entertainment was provided by local musician Lucas Raye.

SCA has an annual turnover of about £10m and provides services to more than 100,000 people.